April 22nd, 2010
APRIL 22, 2010
DEAR FRIENDS:
I’m back from Florida where I did a presentation of the movie VINCERE in Lake Worth, Fl. It’s a multi-layered docudrama about the first wife of Mussolini that most people know nothing about. He never divorced her or even recognized her. Was the marriage the fantasy of an obsessed lover? It’s on Comcast On-Demand and I’d recommend it.
QUICK LOOK AT MY FAVORITES FOR THE WEEK- See “below.”
1) KILLING KASZTNER
2) STORM
3) BREAKING UPWARDS
4) AGAINST THE TIDE
5) SAVIORS IN THE NIGHT
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NEW MOVIES SEEN-
1) AGAINST THE TIDE- 2009. This startling documentary uncovers the isolationism and indifference of the Roosevelt administration and American Jewish organizations during the Holocaust—and the persistent efforts of activist Peter Bergson to challenge them. All the more shocking as it’s set against heroic stories of the doomed Jews of Europe, this account of a little-known piece of American Jewish history is narrated by Dustin Hoffman and produced by the Simon Wiesenthal Center.4/10- I saw this as part of the Westchester Jewish Film Festival and liked it very much. Difficult to watch at times but a necessary viewing. TRDB.
2) KILLING KASZTNER- Here’s what Netflix had to say- “Gaylen Ross‘s compelling documentary explores the story of Dr. Israel Kasztner, a Hungarian Jew who saved more than 1,600 Jews during the Holocaust by buying their freedom from Nazi Adolf Eichmann. With important trial documents and witness interviews, Ross looks at Kasztner’s 1954 trial, which started as a libel case with him as a plaintiff, but ended as a war crime tribunal with him as a defendant.”
4/10- I saw this as part of the Westchester Jewish Film Festival and I thought it was a great documentary. There were so many layers of the story that I would consider this documentary a mystery as well. TRDB.
3) HARLAN: IN THE SHADOW OF JEW SUSS- Premise by Netflix. “Documentarian Felix Moeller profiles one of Nazi Germany’s most notorious — yet largely forgotten — filmmakers in this penetrating biographical portrait of Veit Harlan, best known for directing the anti-Semitic 1940 propaganda film Jew Süss. Rare footage sheds light on Harlan’s method and motivations, but interviews with his descendents reveal conflicted emotions about his tainted cinematic legacy.”
4/10- I saw this as part of the Westchester Jewish Film Festival and I thought it was fairly well done. TRDB.
4) SAVIORS IN THE NIGHT- Directed by Ludi Boeken and starring Veronica Ferres. About a Christian family in a small town in Germany that sheltered and saved a Jewish family from being deported to a Nazi death camp.
4/10- Seen as part of the Westchester Jewish Film Festival this movie was actually a docudrama- and was terrific. Highly recommended if you can find it. TRDB.
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VIEWED AT HOME-
1) XXY- 2007. Argentina. Premise by Netflix. “
Inés Efron plays Alex, an intersexed 15-year-old, in this compelling tale. Though she’s living as a girl, Alex and her family begin to wonder whether she’s emotionally a boy when another teenager’s sexual advances bring the issue to a head. As Alex faces a final decision regarding her gender, she meets both hostility and compassion. Director
Lucía Puenzo‘s sensitive drama co-stars
Valeria Bertuccelli,
Martín Piroyansky and
Ricardo Darín.
4/10- Good depiction of what he/she must confront going through life, particularly the teenage years. TRDB. Netflix.
2) BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS- Premise by Netflix. “Corrupt Det. Terence McDonaugh (
Nicolas Cage) — whose bad habits include pain drugs, reckless sports gambling and accepting sexual bribes — investigates the murder of five Senegalese illegal immigrants in New Orleans. Co-starring
Val Kilmer as McDonaugh’s partner,
Xzibit as drug supplier Big Fade and
Eva Mendes as prostitute Frankie Donnenfield, director
Werner Herzog’s action drama is a loose update of Abel Ferrara’s 1992 film, Bad Lieutenant.”4/10-
Great Cage, but only fair movie. TRDB. Netflix.
3) PIRATE RADIO- Premise by Netflix. “In 1966, hard-partying British DJs have the time of their lives running a radio station on a ship in the North Sea, broadcasting generation-defining (but banned) music to millions.”
4/10- OK if you don’t take it too seriously. Cheesy ending. TRDB. Netflix.
4) STORM- Premise by Netflix. “As prosecutor Hannah Maynard (Kerry Fox) builds a war crimes case against former Yugoslavian army commander Goran Duric (Drazen Kühn), the key witness’s suicide threatens to let the atrocities go unpunished — unless she unearths new evidence. At the funeral, she meets the victim’s sister, Mira (Anamaria Marinca), who harbors the damning secrets Hannah needs for a conviction. But a cover-up in the ranks may stand in the way of justice.”
4/10- I saw this and liked it a lot. Very realistic and pulled no punches. TRDB. Netflix.
5) NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT PERSIAN CATS- Premise by Netflix. “What do you do when you can’t play music in your homeland, but you can’t leave your country to play it abroad either? This is the dilemma faced by an Iranian guy and gal who, fresh on the heels of their prison release, decide to form a rock band. Despite having drive and ambition to spare, the wannabe rockers are stymied by lack of passports, lack of funds and lack of musicians who’re willing to leave Iran in this drama from Bahman Ghobadi.” This just opened in a few cities in the US to great early reviews.
4/10- A film worth seeing that shows us what life can be like in Iran today for people who don’t conform to the repressive rules. While the street scenes of downtown Tehran and the music were very good I was only mildly entertained by the story itself as it seemed repetitive and predictable. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
6) BREAKING UPWARDS- Premise by Netflix. “Breaking up is painful — but does it have to be? Subdued individually by their relationship yet scared of life apart, Zoe Lister-Jones and Daryl Wein set out to meticulously orchestrate and manage their split into painlessness in this docu-drama. The New York couple’s struggles attain an extra air of authenticity as they expose — pretty much uncensored — every bit of their four-year, complex and codependent union for audiences to witness.” Fairly good early reviews.
4/10- I found the movie interesting and sad as the couple genuinely appeared to love each other. I’d recommend it. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
7) A SIMPLE CURVE- Premise by Netflix. “Torn between continuing as the woodworking partner of his father, Jim (Michael Hogan), and striking out on his own, Caleb (Kris Lemche) sees an opportunity when Jim’s old buddy (Matt Craven) comes to their small town with a proposition. But Jim’s stubborn idealism may quash the deal. A new relationship with single mom Lee (Pascale Hutton) also complicates things for Caleb in this moving drama set in the mountains of British Columbia.”
4/10- A bit preachy at times but I still enjoyed it. TRDB. Netflix.
8)EASIER WITH PRACTICE- Premise by Netflix. “Despite his brother’s (Kel O’Neill) company, Davy Mitchell (Brian Geraghty) becomes bored and disillusioned during a road trip to promote his unpublished novel — until an unexpected phone call from stranger Nicole (Kathryn Aselton) leads to life-changing phone sex. Soon, Davy is full of joy due to the amusing and intimate phone relationship he forges with Nicole in this drama based on Davy Rothbart’s autobiographical article for GQ.” Excellent reviews.
4/10- An interesting story about loneliness and connection between people. TRDB.
9) 35 SHOTS OF RUM- Premise by Netflix. “This heartfelt slice-of-life drama by filmmaker Claire Denis tells the story of widower Lionel (Alex Descas), a train driver, and his grown daughter, Sophie (Mati Diop). The two spend most of their time together, but change is in the cards. A neighbor (Grégoire Colin) becomes attracted to Sophie, a family friend retires and Lionel tries to maintain a friendship with his ex-girlfriend (Nicole Dogue).”
4/10- This film got uniformly excellent reviews but I can’t see why. Boring as hell and I would have turned it off if not for the reviews. Nothing of significance happens. TRDB. Netflix.
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CAME TO NETFLIX ON APRIL 20 UNEXPECTEDLY-
1) IRENE IN TIME- Premise by Netflix. “The unique and complex relationship between a father and his daughter yields a profound influence, years later, on the relationships forged between the grown woman and the various men she knows and loves. Acclaimed indie film director Henry Jaglom (Hollywood Dreams) reunites with lead actress Tanna Frederick in this probing drama that also stars Victoria Tennant, Karen Black, Lanre Idewu and Andrea Marcovicci.” Generally poor reviews.
2) BLESSED IS THE MATCH: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF HANNAH SENESH- Premise by Netflix. “Joan Allen narrates this riveting portrait of Hungarian poet Hannah Senesh, a remarkable woman who risked her own life to parachute behind enemy lines — enduring capture, torture and, ultimately, death — to rescue Jews from Nazi persecution. Ahead of her time and on a mission of incredible odds, Senesh ultimately became a martyr in Israel, evoking the spirit of warrior-heroine Joan of Arc and earning the gratitude of those she saved.” Mixed reviews, mostly good however.
3) EASIER WITH PRACTICE- Premise by Netflix. “Despite his brother’s (Kel O’Neill) company, Davy Mitchell (Brian Geraghty) becomes bored and disillusioned during a road trip to promote his unpublished novel — until an unexpected phone call from stranger Nicole (Kathryn Aselton) leads to life-changing phone sex. Soon, Davy is full of joy due to the amusing and intimate phone relationship he forges with Nicole in this drama based on Davy Rothbart’s autobiographical article for GQ.” Very good reviews.
4/10- An interesting story about loneliness and connection between people.” TRDB.
4) 35 SHOTS OF RUM- Premise by Netflix. “This heartfelt slice-of-life drama by filmmaker Claire Denis tells the story of widower Lionel (Alex Descas), a train driver, and his grown daughter, Sophie (Mati Diop). The two spend most of their time together, but change is in the cards. A neighbor (Grégoire Colin) becomes attracted to Sophie, a family friend retires and Lionel tries to maintain a friendship with his ex-girlfriend (Nicole Dogue).” Excellent reviews.
4/10- This film got uniformly excellent reviews but I can not see why. Boring as hell and I would have turned it off if not for the reviews. Nothing of significance happens. TRDB.
5) OLD PARTNER- Premise by Netflix. “Set in the fertile fields of South Korea, Chung-Ryoul Lee’s pensive yet playful documentary examines the enduring bond between an elderly farmer and his loyal ox, forged over 40 years of service, while his sometimes jealous wife stands by. Mr. Lee tends to the ox with special care, feeding him by hand and keeping the land free of pesticides, while the aging beast faithfully carts him back and forth from town, never leaving his side.” Very good reviews.
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COMING TO NETFLIX ON TUESDAY, APRIL 27-
1) FIVE MINUTES OF HEAVEN- Premise by Netflix. “A powerful meditation on guilt, forgiveness and reconciliation, this potent drama stars Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt as two men on opposite sides of Northern Ireland’s political struggle: one a killer, the other the brother of the man he killed. In crafting his keenly sensitive film, director Oliver Hirschbiegel eschews the predictable to deliver a work of tremendous insight and emotional complexity.” Fairly good reviews.
2) DISGRACE- Premise by Netflix. “After an imprudent affair with a student, Cape Town professor David Lurie (John Malkovich) flees to his daughter’s remote farm to escape the scandal, only to find tragedy when a trio of black youths brutally assaults them. But Lurie is forced to face apartheid’s lasting repercussions when he discovers that one of the attackers is related to a trusted employee (Eriq Ebouaney) in this pensive drama based on J.M. Coetzee’s novel.” Very good reviews.
3) THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS- Premise by Netflix. “Christopher Plummer and Heath Ledger star in this quirky fantasy from director Terry Gilliam. When a deal with the devil comes due, the immortal Doctor Parnassus (Plummer) must renegotiate the pact to save his daughter. Now, with the help of his mystical theater troupe and a mysterious stranger, Parnassus attempts to right the wrongs of his past. The Oscar-nominated film is Ledger’s last, with Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law all completing his role.” Fairly good reviews.
4) WILLIAM KUNSTLER: DISTURBING THE UNIVERSE- Premise by Netflix. “Filmmakers Sarah and Emily Kunstler delve into the life of their father, William Kunstler, whose controversial career and high-profile clients solidified his place in history as one of the most famous — and reviled — 20th-century lawyers. The documentary captures a deeply personal journey as the sisters trace their father’s shift from representing civil rights activists to defending accused rapists, Mafia bosses and terrorists.”
1/10- I saw this and liked it very much. TRDB.
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OPENED LAST WEEK-
1) THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES- 2009. Premise by Netflix. “A startling discovery comes to light for retired Argentine criminal investigator Benjamín Espósito (
Ricardo Darín) as he pens a biographical novel about the unsolved case of a young newlywed’s brutal rape and murder years ago. Past and present intertwine for Espósito and colleague Pablo Sandoval (
Guillermo Francella) in director Juan José Campanella’s suspenseful character study in which justice, pain and love collide.”
This was the entry from Argentina for the 2010 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.
4/10- It was the winner! TRDB.
OPENING THIS WEEK-
1) BEHIND THE BURLY Q- Premise by Netflix. “Dive into more than a century of decadence with this tantalizing look at the evolution of burlesque. Cabaret star
Leslie Zemeckis traces the art form from vaudeville-style variety show through its extinction and contemporary rebirth. Vintage photos, film clips and ads illustrate burlesque’s resilient history, and how the public’s sexual appetites kept it alive amid moral and legal ado. Zemeckis’s husband, Oscar winner Robert, executive produced.”
No reviews as yet.
2) HEY HEY IT’S ESTHER BLUEBURGER- Premise by Zap2it. “With help from a new friend, a misfit at a fancy private school secretly enrolls at a public school as a foreign exchange student.” A few early OK reviews.
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FLORIDA- at the Emerging Cinemas of Lake Worth
1) MID-AUGUST LUNCH- Premise by Netflix. “As the Italian holiday of Pranzo di Ferragosto approaches, cash-strapped Gianni (
Gianni Di Gregorio) gets help from his landlord, his friend and his doctor, who offer financial relief in exchange for Gianni looking after their elderly relatives over the holiday. Four mismatched Italian mamas at the same table make for an awkward, hilarious and touching mid-August lunch in this film festival favorite from Di Gregorio, who also writes and directs.”
This film has received very good reviews.
2) AJAMI- Premise by Netflix. “When their uncle wounds an important clan member, 13-year-old Nasri (
Fouad Habash) and his older brother, Omar (
Shahir Kabaha), fear he has put their whole family in terrible danger in this moving, Oscar-nominated drama set on the West Bank. A truce is arranged, but Omar must start selling drugs to pay the fine he now owes. Meanwhile, a number of other locals struggle to negotiate the political and social tinderbox of Jaffa’s Ajami neighborhood.”
This was the Israeli entry to the Academy Awards. I thought it was OK but I saw better Israeli movies during the year.
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COMCAST ON-DEMAND-
NEW-
1) EASIER WITH PRACTICE- Premise by Netflix. “Despite his brother’s (
Kel O’Neill) company, Davy Mitchell (
Brian Geraghty) becomes bored and disillusioned during a road trip to promote his unpublished novel — until an unexpected phone call from stranger Nicole (
Kathryn Aselton) leads to life-changing phone sex. Soon, Davy is full of joy due to the amusing and intimate phone relationship he forges with Nicole in this drama based on Davy Rothbart’s autobiographical article for
GQ.”
Excellent reviews.
4/10- An interesting story about loneliness and connection between people. TRDB. On Netflix.
2) NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT PERSIAN CATS- Premise by Netflix. “What do you do when you can’t play music in your homeland, but you can’t leave your country to play it abroad either? This is the dilemma faced by an Iranian guy and gal who, fresh on the heels of their prison release, decide to form a rock band. Despite having drive and ambition to spare, the wannabe rockers are stymied by lack of passports, lack of funds and lack of musicians who’re willing to leave Iran in this drama from
Bahman Ghobadi.”
This just opened in a few cities in the US to great early reviews.
4/10- A film worth seeing that shows us what life can be like in Iran today for people who don’t conform to the repressive rules. While the street scenes of downtown Tehran and the music were very good I was only mildly entertained by the story itself as it seemed repetitive and predictable. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
3) UP IN THE AIR- Netflix had this to say– “Ryan Bingham (
George Clooney) racks up major miles flying around the country firing employees on behalf of companies. But he faces losing the job he savors to Natalie Keener (
Anna Kendrick) — and losing the ability to escape emotional ties to anything. A connection he builds with Alex Goran (
Vera Farmiga), however, might change his outlook on the future.
Jason Reitman‘s smart comedy also stars
Jason Bateman as Bingham’s boss, Craig.4/10-
I saw this and liked it– some depth, some funny parts and also some poignant moments. TRDB. On Netflix too.
4) CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY- Premise by Netflix. “Filmmaker
Michael Moore (Sicko, Fahrenheit 9/11) takes on capitalism’s roots, the floundering U.S. economy, and 2008’s global financial meltdown and subsequent bank bailout in this rousing documentary. Combining stories about those who suffer most from Corporate America’s greed and insatiable thirst for profits and the people most responsible for myriad crises, Moore embarks on another shocking fact-finding rampage.”
10/09-
I enjoyed the movie but it was more of an expose than a documentary. TRDB. On Netflix too.
5) BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS- About a bad cop in New Orleans. See “above” under “viewed at home.” Great Cage, only fair movie. TRDB. On Netflix as well.
REPEATS-
1) (500) DAYS OF SUMMER- A romance about a woman not interested in a permanent relationship and the guy who falls for her. Cute story with very creative writing and I enjoyed it. Available on Netflix.
2) BEESWAX- About twin sisters. A slice of life and I enjoyed it. Also on Netflix.
3) BIG FAN- About a guy who has nothing else in his life besides rooting for a NY football team. I saw this and liked it. Netflix also.
4) BREAKING UPWARDS- About a couple that plans their breakup in stages. I found the movie interesting and sad as they genuinely appeared to love each other. I’d recommend it. TRDB.
5) BROTHERS- About 2 brothers, one who goes off to fight in Iraq and the other unemployed. I liked this one a lot. Netflix as well.
6) COCO BEFORE CHANEL- About the founder of Chanel from her childhood through her success. I liked it. Also on Netflix.
7) EVERYBODY’S FINE- Robert DeNiro plays a recent widower trying to connect with his adult children.Very good. On Netflix.8)HAPPY TEARS- About 2 adult sisters who travel home to take care of their father who is developing dementia. Mediocre reviews at best.
9) LORNA’S SILENCE- About a woman from Albania who marries a junky in Belgium in a sham marriage in order to raise money. I saw this and it’s just OK. Netflix also.
10) NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU- A series of vignettes about personal relationships with NY as a backdrop.Very good. On Netflix.
11) NO IMPACT MAN- About a couple, primarily the husband, who try to live for 1 year having no carbon impact. Very interesting concept and I liked it. On Netflix.
12) PIRATE RADIO- Premise by Netflix. “In 1966, hard-partying British DJs have the time of their lives running a radio station on a ship in the North Sea, broadcasting generation-defining (but banned) music to millions.” I haven’t seen this yet but I will. Coming to Netflix on 4/13.
13) PRECIOUS- About an obese, abused teenage girl and the changes she makes to improve herself. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture and for numerous other awards. I liked it. Available on Netflix but with a very long wait.
14) THE ART OF THE STEAL- About the breakup of the Barnes collection in Philadelphia and the politics involved in the process. Very good documentary.
15) THE BOYS ARE BACK- About a recently widowed father trying to be both a father and mother to his young son. Sappy and formulaic. Netflix as well.
16) THE COVE- About the illegal killing of dolphins in a small Japanese town. Very good. Netflix also.
18) THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE- About a woman who marries a much older man, moves to the Burbs and whose begins to deteriorate. Very good and highly recommended. On Netflix too.
19) THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE- A documentary about Vogue magazine. Very good. Available on Netflix also.
20) TRUCKER- About an independent young woman who drives a long haul truck. She has her 11yr. old son deposited on her doorstep. I liked this film a lot. Great acting and very good story. Netflix also.
21) VINCERE- Directed by Marco Bellocchio. Premise by Netflix. “Ida Dalser (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) falls for young Benito Mussolini (Filippo Timi) in Milan and sells everything she has to help the future dictator fund his newspaper, Popolo d’Italia. But when World War I separates the newly wedded couple, Mussolini marries another woman. Ida demands to retain her rights as Mussolini’s wife and the mother of his son, but the Fascists have other plans for the dictator’s dark secret in this gripping biopic.” Just opened nationally and has received great reviews.
3/10- I saw this and felt that the acting was superb. Mezzogiorno passionately portrayed a woman with an obsession for IL Duce and she was probably a metaphor for the country at the time. The film itself was enjoyable if a bit too long and I understand that the director played with the facts a bit. However, I’d definitely recommend it. TRDB.
17) THE HURT LOCKER- Very good movie about the guys in Iraq who disarm bombs. Won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
DirecTV- www.directv.com/DTVAPP/listing/ppvMovies.jsp
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BOB’S PICKS IN THE SUBURBS (Westchester and Fairfield Counties)
1) THE ART OF THE STEAL- Bethel. About the breakup of the Barnes collection in Philadelphia and the politics involved in the process. Very good documentary.
2) THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO- Jacob Burns, Bethel, Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk, Saw Mill Hawthorne. Premise by Netflix. “Journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) and rebellious computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) team up to investigate the unsolved disappearance of wealthy Henrik Vanger’s (Sven-Bertil Taube) teen niece (Ewa Fröling), only to uncover dark secrets about Vanger’s powerful family. Niels Arden Oplev directs this Swedish thriller based on the first novel from Stieg Larsson’s best-selling trilogy.”
4/10- Somewhat gruesome at times but I liked it. TRDB.
3) CITY OF YOUR FINAL DESTINATION- Bethel, Clearview 100. Premise by Netflix. “After duping school officials into awarding him a grant to write a biography on novelist Jules Gund, grad student Omar Razaghi (Omar Metwally) is forced to travel to Uruguay to get legitimate authorization from the late author’s three executors. Directed by James Ivory (A Room with a View), this moving adaptation of author Peter Cameron’s novel of the same name also stars Anthony Hopkins, Laura Linney and Charlotte Gainsbourg.” Very good reviews.
4) CITY ISLAND- Clearview 100, Garden Cinema Norwalk. Premise by Netflix. “When he recognizes his son Tony (Steven Strait), whom he hasn’t seen in over 20 years, among a crop of new inmates in the jail he works at, Vince Rizzo (Andy Garcia) decides to bring the troubled young man home with him, much to the surprise of his wife and kids. Helmed by writer-director Raymond De Felitta, this offbeat comedy also stars Julianna Margulies, Emily Mortimer, Dominik Garcia-Lorido and Oscar winner Alan Arkin.” Generally good reviews.
4/10- A comedy about families and about the secrets they keep. I liked it. TRDB.
5) THE GHOST WRITER- Saw Mill Hawthorne. “A writer (Ewan McGregor) stumbles upon a long-hidden secret when he agrees to help former British Prime Minister Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan) complete his memoirs on a remote island after the politician’s assistant drowns in a mysterious accident. In director Roman Polanski‘s tense drama, the author realizes that his discovery threatens some very powerful people who will do anything to ensure that certain episodes from Lang’s past remain buried.”
3/10- A good political thriller. TRDB.
THAT’S IT FOR NOW-
THE REEL DR BOB
The Reel Dr. Bob
Entry Filed under: Old Newsletters
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